Hollow heart of potato

The cause of hollow heart is from cell death inside the tuber.  Inconsistent moisture levels, uneven fertility and variable air and soil temperatures.  Low potassium levels have also been linked to hollow heart.

Symptoms:

• Brown discolourations in the middle of the tuber with crack and hollow area or holes in middles of tuber indicated hollow heart.  If conditions are right any cultivar of potato can have hollow heart.

Control:

• Take care to maintain uniform growth.  Plant seed uniformly and avoid over-irrigation.

Sometimes potatoes can get a secondary bacterial infection. Potatoes with hollow heart are still edible, but refrain from eating if the inside is rotten or has a bad odour.